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Today is the grand opening of the Black Olive store, 7122 Germantown Avenue, phone: (215) 247-5100. It is an all-organic vegetarian/vegan package store that has a lot of cool package goods like Tofutti and Tofurky, organic spices, and nut oils. They also have natural beauty supplies.

They had a nice spread of sample food that bodes well for the opening of their restaurant (in a separate location). Munchies included mock wings, meatless curry, Basmati brown rice, blueberry crisps, black olive relish & corn chips, and garden salad both vegan and with cheese tortellini.

The co-owner Caroline was still getting the stock inventorie, but the register was up and running. We bought some nice almond paste, spelt flour, apricot kernel oil, and Bragg's aminos. The location is good for the Black Olive, and judging from the amount of foot traffic they were picking up on their first day, they should be doing well in no time at all.

Also along this section of Germantown Avenue is Bitar's Mediterranean grill, a take-out eat in spot where we bought a jar of tahini and a bunch of assorted sweets. Thepistachio and shredded filo roll we bought and wofled down was nicely made with just enough honey to keep the confection together. Too often the filo on this type of dessert is saturated with honey and oil to the point where it makes your face hurt chewing on it.